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August 29, 2017

Ten years ago Adam Green introduced us to little fella named Victor Crowley. Seeking to give the world a new slasher icon, he enlisted Jason Voorhees veteran Kane Hodder to play the role of Crowley in the movie Hatchet. The slasher went on to feature in three films, none of which garnered any respect from the MPAA. I believe it was the second entry that opened in theaters and got pulled out by midweek. It is a shame, I would have loved to see any of them on the big screen. The series was not universally loved (what is?) but I know I quite liked it. Here we are, years since we thought the Hatchet universe was finished, learning that a fourth film has been made, yes made, and is going on tour this October. Count me in.

August 24, 2017

In 1981 the slasher sub-genre was starting to gain some steam. After having the formula solidified by Halloween in 1978 and popularized by Friday the 13th in 1980, the genre began to take off. All manner of horror films sought to exploit the lurid and exploitative nature of slasher film. Sequels started to pile up alongside such early entries as My Bloody Valentine, Hell Night, The Burning, and The Funhouse. Each of these movies employed some crazed killer paired with creative and gruesome death sequences. There was even a film made satirizing the style, Student Bodies, which bears a passing resemblance to the movie we are looking at today, Graduation Day.

August 21, 2017

There was a string of films to come out of France that sought to redefine brutality, intensity, and terror. These movies included High Tension, Frontier(s), Sheitan, and Martyrs. Each one was more intense than the one that preceded it. It was almost as if each successive filmmaker was attempting to outdo the one that came immediately before it. I am not sure if this trend continues but Martyrs was the epitome of the cycle that I saw, although there was one that I may have liked better. That movie was À l'intérieur (aka Inside). Of course, these movies would be targeted for an American remake. The trailer for Inside has arrived.

August 19, 2017

When I first approached watching Besetment, I had a question, probably one that I shouldn’t have before watching a movie. I guess, more than that, I probably should have had the answer before even getting this far. I blame the educational system. Anyway, I did not know what the title meant. What is besetment? Well, it is defined as to attack on all sides; assail; harass. With that cleared up, we can move onto the movie itself. It is another in a long line of direct to video, low budget outings that seek to execute an involving story made with very little money. It can be done, but it just seems to be be out of reach of so many. So far as this one is concerned, it has a lot going for it, but it just doesn’t quite take it all the way.

August 13, 2017

Rawhead Rex. Think about that title, Rawhead Rex. There is something about that movie title that just sticks in your head and knowing nothing else about the movie makes you want to see it. Right? It is a name that just promises to be all sorts of awesome. Then you read a bit more about it and learn that it was written by Clive Barker. Well, that just about seals the deal, doesn’t it? It is like a match made in horror heaven. You get a little excited about Barker and an all out, guts on the wall movie called Rawhead Rex. Then you learn a bit more about it, Barker actually hated the movie and it is set in a small rural Irish town. Say what? Begins to lower those expectations.

August 11, 2017

The prospect of a new Jackie Chan movie fills me with excitement and a little bit of dread. Jackie will always be a charismatic figure. Whether he is on the screen, in an interview, or just walking down the street, he will always be that happy go lucky guy that I would love to sit down with. With that said, he is not getting any younger and his kung fu skills are not what they used to be. The last film of his that I saw was Chinese Zodiac back in 2012, that movie was downright dull and uninspired, despite Jackie’s presence. So, when Kung Fu Yoga arrived, I approached with trepidation.

August 7, 2017

We are faced with yet another Texas Chainsaw Massacre film, and another prequel to boot! It is always very iffy to make a prequel to a classic film. We are always curious as to a cinematic maniac’s origin, but to actually make such a film is to risk damaging any idea we have in our mind. It takes away the creative license of each and every viewer. Beyond that, we run the risk of getting a bad film. Will that be the case here? I am not sure, but the fact that it is going to DiecTV before going to theaters (limited) does not inspire much hope. Sure, it could be good movie, but it is a long shot.

August 5, 2017

So, this is not exactly new news, but by know, I am sure you are aware of the impending return of the Saw franchise. Right? I guess we should be thankful for the fact it is not a reboot or a remake or some manner of reimagining. It looks like we are getting a legitimate sequel. Of course, your mileage may vary based on how you feel about the series in the first place. Frankly, I am left somewhere in the middle on the whole thing as my enjoyment of the series has gone up and down over the years. Even not having watched them in a few years I find myself on the fandom fence.

August 3, 2017

Wading into the realm of VOD movies can be a treacherous one. I have been taking that dive more and more in recent weeks. The results have been a decidedly mixed bag. You really need to factor in how much leeway for budget and effort exerted. I don’t know, expectations are just different when watching these films. At the same time, I don’t want to go to easy on sub par product. Of course, sometimes I just let myself go and allow myself to get into the movie and enjoy it for what it is. I guess that is what it comes down to, if you are entertained by a movie, it is a worthwhile endeavor. In this case, Circus Kane feels derivative but it is entertaining and worth spending time with.

So, it has finally arrived. The first trailer for the Death Wish remake has arrived. When I first heard about it I thought, like I do about a lot of projects, I’ll believe it when I see it. It had been announced that Eli Roth would be directing and that Bruce Willis would be stepping into Charles Bronson’s legendary shoes. These announcements only enhanced the I’ll believe it when I see it feeling. Of course, there are those who decried the idea of a remake and others who seemed more than willing to give it a shot. Well, it is real, it is coming. What do you think?